The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has agreed to pay Makana Municipality's legal fees in the high court civil case against Grahamstown lawyer, Paul Notyawa. The municipality approached Cogta for help with the legal fees that will be incurred in defending the application brought by Notyawa against it in respect of his appointment as municipal manager.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has agreed to pay Makana Municipality's legal fees in the high court civil case against Grahamstown lawyer, Paul Notyawa. The municipality approached Cogta for help with the legal fees that will be incurred in defending the application brought by Notyawa against it in respect of his appointment as municipal manager.
After much negotiation Cogta has agreed to foot the bill, according to a confidential council item, a copy of which is in Grocott's possession.
Cogta has, via the State Attorney, engaged Dullabh and Co attorneys and an advocate to oppose the application.
In the document, which was discussed in a confidential meeting, it is stated that the management of Makana and Cogta have agreed that it is best to use separate attorneys and counsel in the matter to avoid a possible conflict of interest.
Cogta advised Makana to appoint Whitesides Attorneys to represent them in the case which the municipality has done.
Meanwhile a statement from Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa's spokesperson, Mamnkeli Ngam, has put Makana among five municipalities in the Eastern Cape that are currently operating without permanent municipal managers.
Ngam said Cogta is making noticeable progress in the appointment of municipal managers and senior managers in municipalities. In cases where there is non-compliance with the stipulations of the Act, the MEC has advised the municipality to re-advertise the posts. "In other instances, he has refused to concur with the appointment," Ngam said.
The recruitment processes for five vacant municipal manager posts in OR Tambo District Municipality, Port St Johns, Great Kei, Makana and King Sabatha Dalindyebo local municipalities have been advertised.
Turning his attention to Chief Financial Officers (CFO's), Ngam said out of 45 approved posts, there are only five vacant. Ngam said in Makana the recruitment process was not compliant and the post was subsequently re-advertised and the short-listing and interview processes have been finalised.
The total number of approved posts according to the approved organisational structures of municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province is 274, according to Ngam.
"Of this number a total of 244 senior manager posts are currently filled, constituting 89%," he said. Ngam said the vacancy rate in the Province currently stands at 30 posts, therefore 11%.
anele@grocotts.co.za
